To report on the receipt of the Improvement Notice from the Department for Education (DfE) and progress to date on the Ofsted recommendations and next steps.

THAT:

a)        the Improvement Notice from the Department for Education, be received.

b)        the statement of expectation for children’s safeguarding in Herefordshire and for further discussion and potential endorsement by partners, be confirmed.

c)        the finalisation of the statement as set out in the report, be delegated to the Director for People’s Services.

d)        the progress to date in addressing the recommendations from Ofsted, be noted.

The Council is under a duty to accept the Improvement Notice from the DfE and address the requirement to improve the quality of services and impact on children’s outcomes.

There are no viable alternative options.